Match Detail

Salters went into our first game of the season missing several key players including Captain Steven Illingworth and Player of the Year Paul Nelson as well as several other first team regulars like Stephen Crawford, Michael Jones, Mikey Thomson, Dani Muir, Steven Faughnan, Ryan Ramsay and Neil McDonald. Despite this Salters were still able to field a very strong team which shows the excellent strength in depth we have in our squad for this season.

We came up against Chesser Athletic who were also missing players. However Chesser are well into pre-season having hammered Liberton and Longstone scoring 18 goals in the two games.

Salters started strongly and looked dangerous in attack. We were well organised and had a very good shape, especially in midfield with Shane Thomson and debutant Danny Watson winning everything and Stephen Brown getting forward in support of the forward. Salters scored first after a throw in down the left hand side by Darren Smith was controlled by Stephen Brown, Broonie then turned and passed the ball square to Richard Murray who calmly slotted the ball home low and hard. Salters went 2-0 up after a ball out of defence led to a mix up with the Chesser full back and centre half, Paul Milligan chased the ball down, nipped in between them and fired low and hard home from 25 yards. The third goal was again from Paul Milligan who won a 50-50 challenge 15 yards inside his own half after a poor free kick from the Chesser goalkeeper, he then took a touch and smashed the ball home from his own half!  Salters created several other chances, Stephen Brown went through and the Chesser goalkeeper did well to save at his feet, Paul Milligan lobbed wide and also brought another good save from the goalkeeper and Shane Thomson broke through several challenges to have a decent shot which the GK help comfortably. John Paget in goal was untroubled, the defence were well on top of the Chesser attack, our midfielders were playing some excellent football and we always looked dangerous in attack. Excellent first 45 minutes of the season!

The second half saw Chesser come out and attacked Salters more. They got their reward when the forward turned the defender, ran at JP in goals and slotted home, it was a good piece of play from the big forward. Chesser had a spell of attacking play however the Salters defence gave nothing away. However as Chesser looked to attack Salters picked them off on the counter attack. Carit, playing as a trailist as we didn’t have enough players, ran fully 60 yards from right back through the Chesser team and played a slide pass to Steven Duncan who took one touch then smashed the ball home into the far post. This was a brilliant run and an excellent finish. Next Paul Milligan rose from a Richard Murray corner to head off the bar; Paul took one touch then volleyed home the rebound into the top of the net to grab his first hat trick of the season. The next goal came after Shane Thomson send Paul Kivlin clear through on goal, Paul rounded the Goalkeeper but was held back and penalty was given. Kris Murdoch stepped up to slot the ball home for his first Salters goal in over 35 appearances.  Paul Kivlin was again involved, this time taking a through ball from Stephen Brown and squaring for Richard Murray to slot home and make it 7-1 Salters. We had other chances, Richard Murray twice squaring for Stephen Brown who was millimetres from sliding the ball home, Shane Thomson curled a free kick off the post and there were a lot of other decent moves by Salters that could have produced goals.

This was a very good start to the season. However we shouldn’t get carried away as both teams were missing players. For Salters John Paget in goals has progressed massively over the last season and is now a very confident and assured goalkeeper in every area. Salters tried to start attacks from the back as the manager had asked, playing through full backs Kris Murdoch and Darren Smith. The two centre half were outstanding and only allowed Chesser two or three attempts on goal. We kept the width through Scott Liddle and Richard Murray who always looked like creating chances. Our three central midfielders looked like they had played together for a long time. Shane Thomson and Danny Watson controlled the middle of the park and Stephen Brown was always a threat on the ball and linked well with the forward. The subs played their part, Steven Duncan getting his goal, Paul Kivlin with two assists and even trialist Carrot getting an assist!

Thursday night’s game against Redhall Star, who are possibly the best team in our association, will be a massive test. However this was an excellent start to our season. Well done everyone!

Team: John Paget, Kris Murdoch, Ryan Newton, Jon Weir, Darren Smith, Richard Murray, Danny Watson (Paul Kivlin), Shane Thomson, Stephen Brown (Steven Duncan), Scott Liddle (Trialist), Paul Milligan.